Elbow
Shockwave Therapy for Tennis Elbow Near Iowa City
Most people with tennis elbow have never played tennis. They grip, lift, type, swing a hammer, or hold a steering wheel.
Direct answer
Tennis Elbow: the short answer
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a degenerative tendon problem at the outside of the elbow, usually driven by repetitive gripping and wrist extension. Shockwave research in tennis elbow is genuinely conflicting: some randomised trials report improved pain and grip strength versus placebo, others find no benefit over sham.
Does this sound familiar?
- Pain on the outside of the elbow
- Pain gripping, lifting a mug or shaking hands
- Weak grip strength
- Pain with repetitive tool or keyboard use
- Tenderness when pressing the bony point on the outer elbow
What is happening in the tendon
The common extensor tendon attaches at the outer elbow. Repetitive load can produce degenerative change in that tendon rather than classic inflammation, which is why the condition often outlasts anti-inflammatory strategies.
What the research says
A 2005 randomised trial in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery reported significant improvement in pain and grip strength with shockwave therapy delivered without local anaesthesia. A 2002 double-blind randomised trial found no clear benefit over sham. Differences in technique, dosing and the use of anaesthesia have been proposed as reasons the literature disagrees.
Where it fits
Load management and progressive strengthening of the wrist extensors remain the backbone of care. Shockwave therapy is generally discussed for cases that have not settled with those measures. Whether shockwave therapy is appropriate depends on your diagnosis, your history and an in-person evaluation.
We do not publish treatment protocols, visit counts or outcome promises for this condition. Those depend on your evaluation at Total Health Chiropractic.
Questions
Tennis Elbow: common questions
Can shockwave therapy be used for tennis elbow?
It has been studied for chronic lateral epicondylitis with conflicting results — some randomised trials report benefit over placebo and others do not. Whether it may be considered for you is an evaluation decision.
Explore whether shockwave therapy fits your tennis elbow.
Candidacy is determined by evaluation — not by a website. Start with the quiz or call the clinic directly.
Serving Iowa City, Coralville and surrounding Johnson County communities from Total Health Chiropractic's Coralville clinic.